Saturday, February 27, 2010

Growing up, my brother Campbell and I would do everything together. One of the things we liked doing often was build a fort. Inside or outside, we always had a fort of some sort. One of our favorites was to empty out the bottom of our closest and put our sheets and pillows from our beds on opposite ends. He always had his side and I mine, never to cross the other’s. Genius I thought of us both to create a small alcove for us to rest our weary heads and escape from all the evils of the world. It was our bed fort! Little did I know that bed forts OR more commonly known as alcove beds, are centuries old! Regardless who came up with this creative design, it is a cozy and secluded way to escape all the evils of the world. Today…..I feel like building a bed fort!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

If you recall, I’m in the process of doing a mini renovation of a half bath in my home. It seems like what should have taken a weekend is SLOWLY working towards a couple of months! I had a vision…..infamous words from many of us wouldn’t you say?! I wanted a Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, masculine, vintage, urban kind of vibe though trying to put that all together has been quite the challenge. I keep telling myself to just be patient and SOON I will finally approach this vision of mine. As often as I change things around my home, one would think I’d have learned how to be patient! I do have the walls painted a khaki color, new stained crown molding in its place, custom cut bamboo blinds hung to the window, a vanity mirror being framed in a wonderful salvaged wood and now I’m in search of a Reynolds Still befitting light fixture.

Looking thru many different styles of lighting, the School House look is what I have in mind.

I’m taken with the look of nostalgia it represents and think it will give the bathroom the look that I’m after.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

One of my most favorite blogs to follow is that of Scott Schuman’s The Sartorialist. Mr. Schuman has a well developed eye when it comes to capturing REAL people on the streets showing off their personal sense of fashion. It is evident from the images he captures why Time Magazine chose The Sartorialist as one of the top 100 Design Influencers around. You’ll definitely want to check out his blog! Click here.

Friday, February 19, 2010

A bit anxious wouldn’t you say to be thinking about farm fresh garden produce being that we’re still shivering from the cold winds of winter, but a guy can dream can’t he? Lucky for me to stumble across a tasty new website that brings the vibe of summer with true to form old fashioned Farmers’ Market fare.

Foodzie is a feast of a website that brings the feel of an outdoor market to the wide screens of our laptop computers with a mix of products shipped from almost EVERYWHERE in the U.S.A…..from the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam! Sorry about the grandstanding. I tend to get a bit over zealous when I discover something way cool! With too much to choose from, let me share a few examples of Foodzie’s Farmers’ Market products and descriptions that caught my attention.

All Natural Spearmint Gum via Glee Gum

A clean and cool gum flavored with natural spearmint extract for a soothing chewing experience! The gum base is made with super chewy natural chicle sustainably harvested from Sapodilla trees in the rainforests of Central America.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brittle via Made To Crave

These crunchy cookies begin with a base of butter, (who doesn't love butter!) certified gluten free oat flour, rice flour and all natural chocolate chips. The buttery crunch and sweet chocolate are the perfect complements to this satisfying cookie.

Bacon Jam via Skillet Street Food

What the heck is bacon jam?...

Well, let me tell you! Skillet Street will take a big bunch of really, really good bacon and render it down...add a bunch of spices, onions, etc then let it simmer for about 4 hours. It's given a quick puree, then blast chilled...and you have bacon jam! Great on burgers, grilled cheese sammys, baked potatoes...a general baconopia of flavor!

Classic Dill Pickles via Happy Girl Kitchen

Dills just like grandma used to make and I LOVED my Grandma's. Grandma knew the secret to a crunchy dill was to use fresh cucumbers straight from the harvest. She's a tough act to follow, but at Happy Girl they're sure you will be pleased. Take a walk with down memory lane with each crunchy bite. Refreshing!

Chevre de Provence Cheese via Belle Che'vre

American Cheese Society First Place Award Winner!

You’re in for a treat. Goat cheese medallions in extra virgin light olive oil with herbs, it doesn’t get any better. Try this chevre with crusty bread or crackers or warm it in the oven for a baked goat cheese salad. Don’t toss out the oil, NO! Use it as a base for a luscious salad dressing or a savory sauce for dipping your French bread. It never hurts to be creative.

Lavender Hannahbells Thimble Cheese via Shy Brothers Farm

Hannahbells are tiny artisanal cheeses hand made by the very shy Santos brothers from their third-generation dairy farm in Westport, Massachusetts. The actual little flower bud is used in the cheese making a combination of creaminess that is a piece of bliss at the end of a long day. This flavor pairs beautifully with beers and wines but particularly reds like rose and old vine zinfandel.

Black Pepper and Rose Thumbprints via Whimsy and Spice

This buttery, crumbly almond-based shortbread cookie has a hint of black pepper and is filled with special rose petal preserves for an unexpected blend of flavors. One order includes a dozen bite-sized thumbprint cookies.

Maple Honey Caramel Spread via Sweet Revolution

A dreamy creamy organic caramel spread handmade in small batches with the best, purest ingredients: Maple from a small producer, local cream, California wildflower honey, sea salt and vanilla bean. For an added touch of class a red wax stamp seals the jar. Once opened, you'll find Maple Honey Caramel Spread goes with most anything...fruit slices, ice cream, cheese and crackers. And of course just on a spoon!

Organic Heirloom Tomato Juice

Heirloom tomato juice and sea salt- simple and honest. Drink as a cool, refreshing beverage or use while cooking to take your grains and beans to new heights. Juicy!

Original Steak Strips

Original Steak Strips have been the flagship product for years. They source the best beef inside top rounds in the northwest. They carefully trim any fat then marinate and smoke them slowly over hickory chips. The result is an outstanding product, every time.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Sleek in its design with handsome detailing of wood panels surrounding the posterior of the vehicle, the “woody” as it is affectionately referred to, holds its own in the history books of innovative, automobile design.

1948 Woody Silver Streak

From the early days of car manufacturing to the 1960s, several forms of the Woody were manufactured by the little known to automotive giants like Dodge, Ford and GM. The 48' Silver Streak Woody is a spectacular example of craftmanship with it's mahogany wood panels, sparkling chrome detail, wide brim white walls and calming silver blue paint.

1947 Ford Sportsman

Even though the Woody was less expensive to produce than aluminum or steel paneled vehicles, Woodies were also constructed in luxury form as you can see with the Ford Sportsman.

8 Door Buick Woody

Due to the nostalgia that surrounds the historic Woody, it is quite popular amongst the vintage car enthusiast and understandably so! Have you ever seen a Woody any bigger than this 8 door? I think not!

Monday, February 15, 2010

This weekend I felt the need to do some local traveling and shopping, hoping to come across a few vintage treasures for my home. Lucky for me that I live not too far from a large metropolitan area filled with lots of wonderful shopping, great eating establishments and world renowned architecture.

One extraordinary structure that exudes creativity is the Boston Avenue Church. Built during the oil boom of the 1920’s and 30’s, the Boston Avenue Methodist Church has left a noteworthy architectural impression on the downtown area of Tulsa, Oklahoma. When driving by this art deco masterpiece, it’s hard to not take your eyes from it.

Built by the architect firm of Rush, Endacott and Rush, the deco work of art includes a round sanctuary and a dominating 15 story tower that seems to reach to the heavens. Celebrated architect Bruce Goff, student and employee of the firm at that time, executed the drafting for the structure with Robert Garrison creating the building’s sculptures as well as supervising the project. After 2 years of dedicated work on this structure, we are now left to admire its place in history of architectural design.

Acknowledged by architectural critics around the country, the Boston Avenue Methodist Church continues to be counted as one of the most important examples of Bruce Goff's work and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

I always get a little energized right after the first of the year because I know warmer days are just around the corner. And with the change of this season comes new trends from some old friends. Be with it pocket squares, striped ties, plastic aviators and straw fedoras, this SPRING season menswear is going to welcome back a few of these old friends but with an updated transformation. All classic in style, designers are mixing it up a bit with lots of pattern and color.

Patterned Pocket Square

photo by Mitchell Feinberg

Straight from the 1960’s and the extremely popular Mad Men television series, patterned pocket squares are making a noteworthy return to the fashionable man’s shirt pocket. The look with pocket squares will be making it plaids or checks so be sure to keep it simple with solid shirts otherwise you may go from sleek to geek.

Aviators have been the cool man’s cover-up for many years now, in fact wasn’t it actually The King of Cool Steve McQueen who made these spectacles a Joe Cool necessity?! With many variations and price points to choose from, these bad boys are a definite must have for Spring 2010.

Referred to as the “stingy”, the narrow brimmed straw fedora is a personal style fav’ of mine and something every well dressed man should proudly sport this spring. Classic in style, the stingy goes great with weekend casual, out and about with a tip of the hat makes you want to have a good day!

Designers added a dose of BOLD color to this spring season’s striped staple taking it to an alternative dimension and beyond!!! In years past it was once considered a signature of the yuppie- puppies but not any longer, no siree Bob. Try showing off your sense of style this spring with knot tying of this recreated fashion necessity. I’ve got mine!

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